Welcome to ESOL Study!

Using English is the best way to improve your English! Please sing with the songs and write comments.

Please suggest songs and topics you like.

If you are using a phone, you need to scroll down and press "view web version" to find links to the vocabulary and grammar exercises.

If your phone translates this blog, please set your phone to use English. The instructions are here.

Click on the picture of the book to find the link to class vocabulary!

If you want me to explain any English topic to you on here, please comment or text to tell me.

Friday, October 10, 2025

We have school on Monday

 Fairfax County children don't have school, but we have school.  I'm going to be here.


Do you have a favorite day of the week?  Do you have a favorite season?  Write about it!

What are you going to do this week?

 



What do you want to do this weekend?

What do you have to do this weekend?

What are you going to do this weekend?

It's going to take some time!

 


English grammar takes time!
Try to remember the rules and make many examples. Focus on using correct examples.



Our book mixes the verb tenses a lot just like people do in real life.  


Please do not study ALL the English verb tenses on the internet.
In this level, we practice future with "will"future with "going to", Present Continuous, Simple Present., Simple Past and the modals: can, could, should, have to, & need to.

Monday, October 6, 2025

Happy Chuseok! (Korean holiday during the Autumnal Equinox)

 




Did you do anything special today?  What did you eat?  Did you ever celebrate a holiday about the moon, about harvest, or about the Equinox?

Friday, October 3, 2025

Read all about it

Our school gives reading tests mostly to show people who give us money that we are a good program.  It often takes 100 hours of reading to move up 5 points on the test.  Last summer, however, three people moved up almost 10 points in only 5 weeks.  Please read as much as you can.  It's best if you feel interested and know most of the words -- no more than 7 new words per page.  


What is your favorite genre?  What are your favorite books?

Thursday, October 2, 2025

What a wonderful world


Wonderful, pretty, and smart are adjectives.  Adjectives describe people, places, things or ideas.


See, hear, and think are non-action verbs.  We usually don't use them in present continuous (be __ing)

What do you see right now?  What do you hear right now?  What do you think of fasting?


Did you see anything beautiful today?  What did you see?

Do you have children?  Do you watch any children grow?  Write about a child.

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

NO SCHOOL ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2-- It's Yom Kippur!

Fairfax County Schools are off for a religious holiday.  I think this Children's book has a nice explanation for our level, but some of the activities are hard to see.  Is it easy for you to understand?


Do you celebrate Yom Kippur?  If yes, what are you doing today?

If not, do you have any traditions that involve fasting?  How often do you fast?  Do you have any traditions that involve saying, "I'm sorry?"  Do you have any traditions that involve praying?

Friday, September 26, 2025

Great job on the repeat Kahoot!

I was very worried that I might keep you late on a Friday.  I'm sorry I didn't show who won the second Kahoot in class!  Here's a screen shot of the winners! 



Practice sorting regular past tense verbs by the sound of ed

Do you like to play Kahoot?   Do want to try this one at home?  Kahoot about and, but, or.  

Here's a link to the other Kahoots we did!   Kahoot for pronouncing ed.

On the night shift

 Shift can mean move a little.  Shift can be a simple dress or a slip.  In our book, shift is a set of hours.  Businesses that are open 24 hours per day -- hospitals, factories, 7 11-- have shift workers.

Shift work is typically morning shift from 7AM-3PM.  Afternoon shift is 3PM-11PM.  Night shift is from 11PM - 7AM.  When I did shift work, night shift workers got extra pay.

When I hear "night shift," I think of this song.  This song was popular right after Martin Gaye died.  I think that night shift might mean heaven in this song.



Did you ever work the night shift?  What did you do?

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Where do you want to go?

 



Where will you go this weekend?  

Where are the most beautiful places in the world?  Where do you want to travel to?   

When is a good time (season) to go to the places you like?  (I like Florida because I visited it in the winter.  My husband doesn't like Florida because he lived there during a very hot August.)

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

How Did you Know?


SxS video past
S x S video  (was were)

Listen and practice speaking the most common regular past tense verbs (Press the speaker icon next to past tense to hear them)


When did you first fall in love?

Write about the time you first met a friend.  Where were you? How old were you?
 What did your friend look like?

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Happy New Year/Rosh Hashanah

 Do you celebrate Rosh Hashanah?  More than 30,000 people in Fairfax county will pray, reflect, and plan for a better year today.  


What do you usually do for New Years?  What can make this year better than last year?

Monday, September 22, 2025

Yesterday Once More




Some songs always bring back memories.   This song reminds me of ice skating in the 1970's with my babysitter -- a young man who wanted to be a magician.  He always found the quarters for the hot chocolate vending machine behind my ear!  The ice rink played this song a lot.  (Shah la la la, shing a ling a ling, whoa oh oh don't have any meaning, but people often sang those sounds in the 1950s)

Do you have any memories with this song?  What songs make you think of certain times in the past?

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Listening (end of class on Wednesday & the beginning of class on Friday)

 


Can you type?  Can you program a computer?  Can you draw?  Can you make jewelry?  What are your best skills?  What are your most unusual skills?

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

We use "can" to talk about skills

We often use  can _______(base form verb -- swim, drive, cook, run, be calm....) when we talk about skills.  People use can at work and to get a new job often.


My husband loves the movie, "Aliens"  I think it is scary and disgusting.  I like this scene and this scene shows people using can ______(base form verb)


I feel like a fifth wheel means I feel I am not necessary.
Be my guest is an old way to say yes to a request.


Ripley surprises her colleagues.  Do you have skills that surprise people?  One of my students can catch fish with his hands,  and another student can make a heart with cream in her coffee.

You can do this hard thing

 


What are your favorite skills?  What hard things can you do?

Sunday, September 14, 2025

Welcome!

Welcome to English Class!  

I post songs and questions.

Please write answers to the questions in the comments or on paper to turn in.

Please listen to songs. When I post a song you like, repeat listening to it until you can sing it.
Sometimes the songs are fast and challenging, and sometimes they are slow.

I also put many links to any website that looks helpful for our level.
On a phone, you need to go to the bottom of the page, and press "view web version" 
to see and use the links.  I usually update the class vocabulary after class.
If you love a helpful website, please tell me about it.



Welcome to English class!  What is your name?  When did you come to the USA?  What are your goals for this class?  How can I make this class excellent for you?

No Food in Class

 I'm very sad about this new rule.  I think eating together at breaktime and talking about it is one of the best ways to practice English.  We can only have covered drinks.  We can eat outside.


I like fajitas, chili, and kung pao chicken more than cheeseburgers and hot dogs.  

What are your favorite things to eat?  What food is good for health?  What food is good for picnics?  What food is good for holidays?  What food is not good for you?  Why?

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Fall 2025 Homework

List of Kahoots

I hope the written homework can be finished quickly and helps you remember vocabulary and grammar patterns.  Research shows that taking a break and then reviewing is really good for remembering. Using English in real life is your best homework.

Homework for Monday, October 13:  Do the handout to practice be going to ____(base verb) for the future.   Study vocabulary set 2 and  vocabulary 1.  We'll probably have a vocabulary test on Tuesday.

10-10 Today, we practiced using be going to _______(base verb).  Use be going to ___(base verb to talk about plans for the future.  It's better to use "will" when you don't have an existing plan.  We often correctly use present continuous for the future when we have plans to go somewhere.  We did a Kahoot to practice future with be going to.

Homework for Friday, October 10:  Do the handout.   Study new vocabulary set 2 and  vocabulary 1.  

10-9 Today, we talked about jobs.  We played Quizlet live to practice the verbs on page 98.  We practiced using what and where with a job history.  We did Ventures Arcade- Blue 2 Unit 8.  We took a quiz.

  Homework for Thursday, October 9  Study Unit 8 especially can vs. could, what vs. where, and the verbs on p. 98.  Bring your job history.  Study new vocabulary set 2 and  vocabulary 1.  Finish These People are Employed to turn in.

10-8 Today, we talked a lot.  Many students answered the most common question, "Tell me about yourself."  We did pair work and a FSW to practice common expressions in job interviews.

Homework for Wednesday, October 8 -- Study Unit 8.  Bring your job history.  Study new vocabulary set 2 and  vocabulary 1.  

10-8 Today, we practiced using a time sheet. (SB 106)  We also reviewed can/could to talk about skills now/in the past. (WB 101)  We gave each other advice about how to get a job.

Homework for Tuesday, October 7:  Do WB p. 101.    Study new vocabulary set 2. Have you finished Unit 8 in the workbook?  If you didn't turn in a resume or job history today, bring it tomorrow.  Write your answers to these common job interview questions 

10-6   Today, we reviewed unit 8 vocabulary and ideas (using past tense, using present tense, and using conjunctions - and, but, or)(WB 90, 91, & 95)  We studied how to use can & could for ability.  (SB p. 107)  (I could dance ballet when I was eighteen years old, but I can't dance ballet now.  I couldn't drive when I was fourteen years old, but I can drive now.) Can and could are modals.  Modals don't follow verb tense rules.  Can is always can.  Could is always could.  They both go with a base form verb.  When used for ability, can is present and could is past.  When used for requests, can and could are used the same ways. (Can you please do your homework? = Could you please do your homework?)  Could is a little more formal than can.

Homework for Monday, October 6:  Do WB p. 98. Write and bring your job history.  Start to write answers to common job interview questions 

10-3 Today, we went over WB 100, 96, & 97.  I explained the three ways to make future tense.  We did a reading and talked about our opinions of some jobs.  We talked about the upcoming weekend.  We practiced talking about errands.  We played Quizlet live.  FOUR people won!! 

Homework for Friday, October 3:  Study new vocabulary set 2.  Do workbook p. 92 & p. 98.  As always, read something you like in English (No more than 7 words you don't know per page). Homework for Monday: Do WB p. 98. Write and bring your job history.  Start to write answers to common job interview questions   

NO SCHOOL THURSDAY

10-1 Today we used past and present tenses to talk about duties (responsibilities).  We did p. 102 and p. 104 in the student book.  We practiced vocabulary set 2 with teams doing Quizlet.live.  In response to Kabir's question, I talked about one of the most important topics in this class, basic verb tenses.  Use present continuous for action verbs right now.  (I am writing about the class.  They are driving home.  She is taking the bus)  We can use simple present for right now, but we usually don't.  We usually use simple present to talk about schedules, frequency, and facts. (I go to school every weekday. Water boils at 100 degrees C.  She watches soccer games every Saturday.  He works four evenings a week.  She never drinks wine.  I usually visit my mother in the evening. I have an old car.  She doesn't come on time.)  Use simple present for things that are always true, things that repeat, when you use a frequency adverb (always, usually, sometimes, seldom, never), and for non-action verbs now.  Non-action verbs often involve ownership, opinion, the senses (see, hear, feel, taste, smell), and emotions.  I see you!  He hears us.  Aziza's food tastes delicious.  Coffee smells wonderful.  I don't have that paper.  I need it.) Use past tense for actions that are finished.  (We talked about duties. We finished two pages in the book.  We practiced vocabulary.  We didn't write very much.  I made a mistake five seconds ago, then I fixed it.)

Homework for Wednesday:  Do workbook p. 95.  Study new vocabulary set 2.

9-30 Today, we practiced using what to ask about an activity (What are you doing?  I'm writing about class.  What did she do?  She worked.  What did you eat for breakfast?  I ate an egg on toast and a mandarin.  What are you doing?  I'm drinking coffee.  )We used where to ask about location.  (Where do you study?  I study at Plum Center.  Where do you live?  I live in Springfield.  Where does she live?  She lives in Fairfax.  Where did they buy their coffee? They bought it at 7 11.)  We used when to talk about time.  When is your birthday?  It's in August.  When can you come?  I can come on Monday.  When will we have a day off?  We're off on Thursday.  When did you come to Northern Virginia?  I came to NoVa in July, 1990.  (Want to practice with a Kahoot?  Kahoot what or whereWe did a past tense kahoot so we practiced the 3 ways of speaking ed and we practiced the irregular verbs on p. 98. We reviewed spelling rules for adding ed.  (Usually just add ed.  Consonant y -- no y -- ied. (study-studied, try-tried)  Vowel y - just add ed -- played, enjoyed.

Homework for Tuesday.  Do this worksheet -- remember base form with didn't and past form for affirmative.  Do WB 94 if you didn't do it last weekend.  As always study vocabulary especially new vocabulary set 2.   If you don't have much time, play the matching game for five or ten minutes.  Read anything that interests you in English.  It's your level if you don't know between 2-7 words per page.  if you want to try the Kahoot again, it's here:  Kahoot for pronouncing ed.

9-29  Today, we talked about last weekend.  We contrasted the verbs that go with usually, last weekend, and next weekend.   Usually: (I usually work.  He usually mows the lawn.  She usually buys groceries.  They usually play soccer.) Last weekend ( I worked last weekend.  He mowed the lawn last weekend.  She bought groceries last weekend.  They played soccer last weekend. Next weekend. (Next weekend, I'll work.  He's going to mow the lawn.  She'll buy groceries.  They are going to play soccer.  We practiced pronouncing simple past regular verbs and did a Kahoot for pronouncing ed.  Some students talked about their past with conversation questions, while other students took a vocabulary retest from our vocabulary:  class words set 1.  We did a fill-in-the-blank listening worksheet with "How did you know."

Homework for Monday:  Do WB . 94.  Read something in English.  Study new vocabulary set 2. If today's quiz was difficult, study vocabulary again.  

Today, we practiced using present tense with 'on the weekend" and "every weekend."  We studied vocabulary.  We took a vocabulary quiz.  We studied conjunctions: and, but, or.  Use and with similar or additional information.  Use or for choices -- pick only one.  Use but as a warning: opposite is coming.

Homework for Friday, September 26.  Study vocabulary. for a quiz.  Do Workbook p. 90.  If you know the vocabulary from set 1, look at our new vocabulary set 2.

9-25 Today, we reviewed agreeing with too and either by writing sentences.  We used "but" to show differences in opinion.  I don't like fish, but Romario does.  I like spicy food, but Romario doesn't.  I don't like bussing tables, and he doesn't either.  He likes to dance, and I do too. We practiced using present continuous verbs for NOW and for the future (after class.)  We played Quizlet live.  We went over vocabulary in a hospital on p. 96 (SB) and we did the listening on p. 97 (SB).  One trick:  you don't need to do something if you already did it. We did partner dictations for writing sentences about the picture on p. 96.

Homework for Thursday, September 25:  Write an email to me at Pimteacherlaurie@gmail.com.  You can talk about your job or you can write about a weekend or a day off.  Study vocabulary.

9-24 Today, I introduced the idea of using too (for affirmative) and either (for negative) to agree.  We played games to practice vocabulary & using verbs.  We identified present and past verbs with WB p. 5 and with this Kahoot:  ID past or present.   We practiced using past form for affirmative and base form for negative with this Kahoot: Simple Past: Contrast positive and negative.

Homework for Wednesday, September 23:  Do Workbook (White book) p. 5. and study vocabulary.   If you want to try the Kahoot again, here's a link.  For WB p. 5, use present tense with every or usually.  Use past with last.

9-22 Today I used a slide show to teach the formal grammar rules of "simple" past tense.  It's important to use a past form verb for affirmative sentences (I sat down after class.  I walked this morning.  I went to an amazing show.), but use a base verb with didn't for negative sentences (I didn't sit down.  I didn't walk this morning.  I didn't go to a show last week.)  Use a base form with did for questions.  (Did you sit down?  Did you walk to school?  Did you see a show?)  We watched the slides, practiced some examples, talked to each other, filled out a worksheet, and wrote sentences for "find someone who."

Study vocabulary,  D   Homework for Monday, September 21- WB p. 96-97.  Study vocabulary.  If you want to try the Present Continuous Kahoot again, click here.

9-19 Today we reviewed present continuous and identified job duties (SB p.103).  We spent a lot of time talking about spelling rules that go with adding an ing.  We described the picture on SB p. 2, we did the listening on SB p. 4, and we did a present continuous kahoot. (link above)

Homework for Friday, September 18.  Study vocabulary..  Do this worksheet.about can ___base verb  I hope it's easy and you can do it quickly.

9-18  Today, we practiced listening to people who talked about their skills.  We used "you can't ____(base verb) to talk about rules. We went over the color vowel chart.  We wrote about objects that our classmates brought.

Homework for Thursday, September 17:  Study vocabulary.  Do WB p. 3.  Bring something that you like to talk about. (Can be a picture on your phone, but please choose tonight, not during class>)  I'm not looking for a full oral presentation, but I want you to talk about it in English.  Example from me:  I'm Laurie.  "Olive sock"  Laurie.  I brought this tee-shirt because it's very special to me.  It's special because my mother gave it to me. She gave it to me because she said I helped her do a NASA experiment, and she wanted me to have the NASA team tee-shirt.

9-17  We reviewed our vocabulary with a game.  We completed p. 2 in the white workbook, and the listening on p. 3 in the blue student book. We practiced using the Color Vowel Chart., and present continuous verbs.  We also practiced listening with can and can't.  We talked about our skills.  If you can't do something that a job interviewer asks for, tell them that you are willing to learn and that you usually learn quickly.

Homework for Wednesday, September 16- Study vocabulary. Bring an object or a picture of an object that you like to talk about!

9-16 Today, I introduced the color vowel chart.  A vowel is a letter (a, e, i, o, u) or a sound we make with our voice.  English has 5 vowels.  We often only teach 10 sounds for those vowels, but there are fourteen sounds. The color vowel chart has one color for every sound.  I rarely use "auburn dog" because it's not a common sound in a Northern Virginia accent.  I hope we can use this chart to teach and remember pronunciation, spelling, and reading.

We played a board game to get to know each other.

Some people took a reading test.  Others did a grammar (mixed verb tense) page and wrote a paragraph.


Homework for Tuesday, September 15: Study class vocabulary for today.  Answer questions on the class website (blog) either as a comment or on paper.

9-15 Today, we introduced ourselves.  We interviewed a classmate.  We tried our first line dialog.  How many people did you talk to?  We talked about the class and about class goals.  Skills are actions that you can do.  When you talk about skills, stress the action after can.  I can cook.  I can read.  He can play the guitar.  In the sentence, I can cook, pronounce "can" like Kn or Kuhn.   When you talk about things you can't do yet, stress can't.

Can-can't-will-won't & want to ____________(Base verb)  A base verb doesn't have a special ending like ed, s, or ing.

Friday, August 1, 2025

See you in September



What are you going to do in August?  I'm going to miss you!

If you want ESOL grammar practice, click here for some options.

Check the links to the side for old-fashioned computer-based learning.  Remember that using English with real people is great!

Sunday, July 27, 2025

Jimmy's Recommendation

 

May you feel at home here.



Was or were  ______ing is past continuous.  Use this verb tense when you are talking about a specific times in the past when you weren't finished with an activity. Don't use was/were as an auxiliary verb in simple past.

When I was a child, I moved a lot.  Home was where my mom was.
What makes a home feel like home?
Where are good places to live?  Why?

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Challenge Listening: Reviews of the big bedrooms on the Auto Train that goes from Lorton, VA to Florida

 I rarely ride trains, but I am curious about the auto train.

Amtrak's auto train allows you to bring your car on the train to Florida.


How often do you travel?  Do you take vacations?  Where did you go on your last trip?  How long did you stay there?

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Ordering at a restaurant

 



What' s your favorite food?  How often do you eat at a restaurant? What restaurant do you recommend?  Can you tell me a story about excellent or terrible service at a restaurant?

Monday, July 14, 2025

Getting a table

The instructions on the homework say, "listen."  You can listen to this video to complete the homework.



What duties does a host perform?  Did you ever work at a restaurant?
What was your job?  What did you have to do?

 

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Ordering Coffee at Starbucks

 


Although I enjoy many of their products, I don't usually go to 7 11 or Starbucks because I don't like their prices. 

Starbucks has their own vocabulary in how to order.


How often do you drink coffee?  How do you like your coffee?

Friday, July 11, 2025

Talking at a restaurant




Can you find the spelling mistake in the subtitles?








A few regional differences:  My family says "appetizer" rather than "starter." 

In this area, a 20% (minimum) tip is customary.  "Tip jobs" have a lower minimum wage, so servers don't get the minimum wage of $12.41/hour.  Servers usually get $2.13/hour from the restaurant, and taxes often take their whole paychecks.  Some restaurants require servers to pay some of their tips to bussers, "expo," (a person who checks the order and arranges the food in a pretty way) and bartenders.


In the conversation at the end of the video, native speakers in this area say, "chicken sandwich" rather than chicken burger.  We'd probably say we like tacos or a taco if there's only one.

English for my Job-Hospitality

Food and drink Vocabulary from English Club  (Go down to see links to vocabulary and practice)

Grammar: count vs. non-count  (same link as the top)

What is your favorite restaurant nearby?  What is the best restaurant in your native country?  What is the best restaurant you ever ate at?

7-11

For many summers, my children loved this day because they could get free Slurpees from 7-11.

Happy birthday 7 11

What do you like to drink? 

Practice "drink" vocabulary with https://www.languageguide.org/english/vocabulary/drinks/ and
learning chocolate:  teadrinks with their containers, and fruit.

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Rain on me


In this song, "on" is a preposition that shows where the rain falls.  Practice prepositions.

Do you like rain?  My daughter likes to walk in the rain.  I don't like to walk in the rain, but I like to eat. If there's no rain, there's no fresh food.

Did you ever lose power in a storm?  What did you do?  What do you usually do when it rains?

Thursday, July 3, 2025

The Light We Keep On

 


Are there any small things that you do to make someone feel better?  What?

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Firework!

 


Who do you admire?  Why?  What do you love to do?  What is important to get done?

Happy Fourth of July!!






This next video is super-fast for our level, but it repeats enough that it's good for training your ears. Understanding every word doesn't make the song easy to understand.


History of Independence Day -- Also fast, but clearly spoken.  Make sure you turn the closed captioning (CC) on.



Some U.S.A. patriotic songs you will probably hear today...




During fireworks, you usually hear "Stars and Stripes Forever."




funinfairfax.com:  Fireworks in Northern VA (scroll down for the 4th)


Are you enjoying the fourth of July?  What are you doing?  Does your former country have an independence day celebration?  When is it?  What do you do?

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Why do you want to learn English?

 


When do you most want to be good at English?  What do you want to do with your English?

Monday, June 30, 2025

Nice to meet you!

 


Hi!  What's your name?  Do you have a big family?  Do you like to talk about your family?  Do you like to talk about your job?  Do you have any hobbies?  What do you like to do?  Do you like to travel?  Where did you go?

I think they call this love

 


How old were you when you first fell in love?

What kind of music do you like?  Slow oldies are often good for my class because students can hear them and they are more likely to have correct grammar.  Can you believe this song is new?  What is your favorite song?

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Happy Summer!

 Did you enjoy your first day of summer?  When I was a child, many ice cream trucks and merry-go-rounds played this tune, but I never heard the words.



Do you like ice cream?  What's the best flavor? Are you planning to travel this summer?  Where do you want to go?  Do you like to go to the beach?  What's your favorite beach?

Friday, June 20, 2025

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Happy Juneteenth

 

My mother grew up in Galveston Texas 
where people had beach parties to celebrate Juneteenth 

throughout the twentieth century.


Juneteenth is new as a federal holiday,
but it's an old celebration of freedom 
even though many people were still enslaved after that date.



Do you celebrate any historical events?  Which ones? How?


Friday, June 13, 2025

Potluck Party on Monday!


A potluck is a party that asks all the guests to bring food to share.  Many people have potlucks in the USA -- especially schools, churches, and neighborhood pools.  Please bring something yummy.  If you really don't have the time or money to bring food, don't worry.  Come anyway.

Please don't bring candles (no fire), gifts for the teacher, children, or alcoholic drinks.



Are you going to bring food?  What are you going to bring?

Thursday, June 12, 2025

What are you going to do?



wanna = want to
oughta= ought to=visualized ideal (best in my mind)  Everyone ought to use the blog!

Low Intermediate Grammar - Please remember and be good at these language patterns before studying any perfect tense or conditionals.  Grammar describes patterns.  If you use it well, you can learn how to say thousands of correct things in a few minutes.  Don't try to understand grammar because it's crazy-- try to remember rules and exceptions. Make examples that you can use in your life.


Review, expansion, and practice with "going to"

What are you doing tonight?
What are you going to do tomorrow?
What are you going to do this weekend?
Where are you going to go the next time you travel?
What are you going to do next summer?

Indirect Objects

 


Tuesday, June 10, 2025

I hope you return!

June 12 is the LAST DAY for current students to register for Summer Classes.  We'll get students from other locations because our program is only doing summer classes at a few locations.  Please register tomorrow if you want to be in the class.

I plan to teach.  We will probably focus on directions, travel, and getting jobs.  If the majority of students in the Summer class already took class this spring, we will have more opportunities to have conversations.


The shotgun seat is the passenger seat -- the seat in the front that's not the driver.

What are you going to do this summer?

What does "mean" mean?

I didn't mean to confuse you, but the most difficult thing I gave you today used "mean" as "intend."  That was new for many people.  Claribel pointed out that "mean" means many things.  Here's a video about some of things "mean" means.



Can you write three sentences using "mean" in 3 different contexts?

Sunday, June 8, 2025

This Old Guitar






John Denver said his guitar gave him a better life.  Can you play a guitar?  Do you have a hobby that makes you happy?  Do you like to cook?  I think good food makes everyone happy!

I'd like some count and noncount nouns, please

 



Count and noncount nouns with a LOT of examples-- scroll way down to do the quiz!

What ingredients do you need for your favorite recipes?

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Shopping Project

 Shopping Project

Choose two classmates to work with.  Pick three things you all want to shop for.  Bring receipts to class.  Compare prices and quality from different stores.  Use comparative and superlative sentences to report to the class.



These lyrics shouldn't be "you better." They should be "you'd better." "Had better is an even stronger "must" than "must" or "have to"

Do you think this mom gave good advice? What do you have to do this weekend? Is there anything you'd better do?

Friday, May 23, 2025

Did you understand? Were you tired?

 


Practice was or were

The verb to be is one of the most common irregular verbs.  
It has it's own pattern for simple past -- NO DID!
Don't use "did" or "do" as question words if the main verb is any form of to be.

Where were you today?
Were you okay in class today?
Was the grammar difficult?
Were you at home?  Why? Was a child sick?  Were you sick?
Are you traveling this weekend?

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Memorial Day -- NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY!!

On Memorial Day, we remember people who died in military service.  We also often shop, have barbecues, and go to outdoor pools and water parks.  Many outdoor pools open on Memorial Day.

Do you like to shop?
  


Springfield Mall Sales 




Leesburg Outlet Sales

Fair Oaks Sales

Things to Do for Families with Children


At the end of the day, many military units play "Taps" at bedtime.  "Taps" is often played at military funerals.  It's rare to hear lyrics except in Boy Scouts.  "Safely Rest" (not "Bob Good Night") is usually the last line.



One of my students suggested the following song as a tribute to military families.  
Can you find which word is not spelled correctly?





What are you doing for memorial day?  (I plan to relax!)

Health Problem Vocabulary

 



Practice using have/has

Words about ailments

Words about the body and medical equipment

Practice using a few words about symptoms on Learning Chocolate

Intermediate symptoms on Learning Chocolate

Do you work as a caregiver?  Study Vocabulary for Medical Reports and reading practice for CNAs


Wednesday, May 21, 2025

You don't have to

 


Is this the worst Elvis song?  It's a good example of "don't have to.'  What do you have to do?  What are some things you don't have to do?

Medicine (Just a spoonful of sugar!)

(Skip to :23)


Link to class activity:  Practice Health Vocabulary -- Prescriptions  (Bottom right-- Medicines)

Types of Medication

Prescription Label Vocabulary

Do you take any medicines?  Do they have side effects?  Do you take Vitamins?


Monday, May 19, 2025

I should probably go to bed...

 




What time should you go to bed?  What time do you go to bed?  What time did you go to bed last night? What do you like to do at night?  How much sleep do you usually get?

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Never google your symptoms




Symptoms are signs of a medical problem like a headache or stomachache or fatigue (feeling really tired)  Hypochondria is obsessing with the possibility that you have a terrible disease.



Do you have any symptoms right now?  Do you have a good doctor?

Thursday, May 15, 2025

 Whenever I shop for an appliance or a car, I look at Consumer Report's ratings.

Challenge Listening about cars:  (You probably should slow this one down in YouTube)



Maryann says that she checks Consumer Reports on the sofa at home through her library card!  
Here are her instructions:

Hi Laurie.

This is how I reached Consumer Reports online using my library account number and login:


1.  Logged into George Mason Regional Library with my library card number and password;

2. Go to “Research Center”In column on left side of screen

3.   Click “All Databases;” and 

4 .  Click on “C” in the alphabet list and Consumer Reports is the third or fourth entry.

Fairfax County Public Library cards are available free to residents of Fairfax County.  You can borrow books, CDs, DVDs, and artwork.